Police declared an "acute terrorist situation" Friday in Munich and shut down traffic and rail service in the southern German city to search for as many as three gunmen who went on a shooting rampage at a shopping mall, killing at least eight people, police said.

Here's what we know so far:

How many people are dead?

At least eight people died in the attacks, and several others were wounded.

Police tell the Associated Press that they have found a ninth body at the site and are investigating to see if it is one of the attackers.

What do we know about the gunmen?

The shooter, or shooters, remained on the run, forcing authorities to shut down traffic and rail services in the Bavarian city. Major roads were largely empty as special police teams swarmed the area, and helicopters carrying snipers swept over rooftops looking for as many as three perpetrators carrying long guns.

"Please avoid public places," Munich police said in a statement.

Munich police said on Facebook that witnesses reported seeing "three different gunmen" but it was not clear whether they were referring to three separate shooters or the same shooter at three different locations.